Written question asked by Nadine Dorries (Independent (affiliation)) on Wednesday, 17 April 2013, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 April 2013. It was answered by Anna Soubry (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 April 2013 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Radiotherapy

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department collects information on the average distance cancer patients must travel from their homes to receive radiotherapy.

[152591]

Answer

This information is not collected centrally.

The National Radiotherapy Advisory Group (NRAG) report, ‘Radiotherapy: developing a world class service for England’, published in 2007, stated that 45 minutes travel time should be seen as best practice, although it recognised that this is not achievable in all areas. The report also found the vast majority of the population already live within 45 minutes of a radiotherapy centre. A copy of this report has already been placed in the Library.

Since the publication of the NRAG report, the National Cancer Action Team, now part of NHS Improving Quality, has continued to provide advice to commissioners and providers to help them assess travel times for their patients and plan the location of new services.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 152591; 561 cc898-9W
Session: 2012-13
Subjects: Patients Travel Radiotherapy
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Radiotherapy

Secondary information

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